Yerevan, 22 September – Students’ arts exhibition titled “Youth for Peace and Development” and dedicated to International Day of Peace and International Year of Youth, was organized jointly by the UN Office in Armenia and Yerevan State Academy of Arts was opened today. More than 100 works of art, including graphics, paintings and statues were displayed at the UN House and attracted attention of students, professors, international community, civil society groups, media and general public. Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator said: “This annual International Day of Peace is dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence. We all know that the year 2010 is International Year of Youth with a theme of dialogue and mutual understanding capturing the very essence of peace. Moreover, this Peace day is devoted to young people as well with its theme “Peace for Youth and Development”. “The initiative of giving the young artists a chance to exhibit their works in the UN House is a great opportunity for them. It not only encourages but empowers them. Also in this way they can learn more about UN values”, said the dean of the Yerevan State Academy of Arts Mr. Khachatur Azizyan. This is already the third such exhibition and some others are planned for 2010. The series are within the framework of the “International Year of Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” and “International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures”. This is a joint initiative of Ms. Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and Mr. Aram Isabekyan, Rector of the Yerevan State Academy of Arts aiming to promote UN values by helping young artists of Armenia. The project is also supported by the UN Department of Public Information in Yerevan.

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